G. Warren Hall - Test Pilot

Hi there, my name is G. Warren Hall. While growing up in Richmond, Virginia, my dream was to become a pilot and fly. When I was 8 years old, some friends and I were playing in a broomstraw field when a yellow Navy airplane appeared overhead and started doing acrobatics. Oh what a sight it was for me! It was then and there I decided that someday I would become a pilot and soar like superman. I was sure there was nothing else in the whole world to compare with flying and I was determined to follow that dream.

As a youngster, I learned a strong work ethic from my Dad who was a farmer turned automobile mechanic. He helped any and everyone who had a mechanical problem whether they could pay or not. The funny thing was, to have a son who would devote his life to flying, my Dad was afraid to fly. Mom was supportive of my dream and my older and bigger brother challenged me constantly, creating a strong sense of competition in me. I couldn't beat him up, so I learned to outwit him.

In high school, my best friend Bobby Brown and I started working as "line boys" at the near-by Northfield Airport. We earned $1 an hour, which was split in half, 50 cents in money and 50 cents toward learning to fly. This was the first step in making my dream come true. We did everything at the airport, cut the grass, pumped gas, propped airplanes, cleaned hangars and even served lunches in the cafeteria...anything to stay close to the airplanes. I started flying when I was 15 years old.

Mr. Elmer Durand Bailey was our boss and flight instructor at the airport. He literally took Bobby and I under his wing. Mr. Bailey was a wonderful role model for us, even though we nicknamed him "The Spook", because he always seemed to appear anytime Bobby and I were goofing off or doing something we weren't supposed to be doing.

High school and the Boy Scouts provided other positive role models who guided and inspired me. Mr. Black, my science teacher, sponsored an Aviation Club and Betsy Bethune who supported me in student government activities. I participated in student government throughout high school and was president of my senior class. My high school football coach, Coach Fritz, instilled a strong sense of being able to do more than I thought I could. He taught me discipline and goal setting. I still use the principles I learned on the football field in high school. Also, my Boy Scout leader, Mr. Gentry, devoted time to us as our leader, shaping out character by giving us values and leadership training. These people had a tremendous impact on my growth, both as a person, and in developing my interest in aviation.

Academically I did well in high school and college and attribute much of my success to the mentors mentioned above. They each influenced me in ways that contributed to who I am and in the success that I enjoy today. When I speak to individuals and groups, I like to stress the importance that mentors had on me when I was growing up, and how important it is to the youth of today. Education also played a major role in allowing me to achieve my dream. I received a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Virginia and two Master's Degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo, one in Aerospace Engineering and the other in Business Administration. I have taught Aeronautics courses for the University of Southern California and San Jose State University. Education is very important. It is the key to opening the doors to success.

During my Junior and Senior years at the University of Virginia, I worked as a student engineer at the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland. While there, I was afforded the opportunity to fly in several Navy jet trainers. This experience created the desire to become a Navy pilot. Upon graduation, I joined the Navy and became a Navy fighter pilot for 5 years. I flew the single seat, single engine "Demon" and the two seat, twin engine fighter the "Phantom II" logging over 300 carrier landings. I did not go to war in Viet Nam but was stationed in the Mediterranean Sea during that campaign. After the active duty time in the Navy, I continued my affiliation with the military in the Navy and Air Force Reserve programs. I ended my 28 year military service as the Commander of an Air National Guard Rescue and Recovery Group with the rank of Colonel.

After my time with the Navy, I went to work for Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory at Buffalo, New York, as an Engineering Test pilot where I worked for 12 years. The work at Cornell was highly specialized toward developing good flying qualities for new airplanes. I worked on every new military and most civilian airplanes built during the time I was there. We had what I call "Magic Airplanes" known as in-flight simulators that could be made to fly like new airplanes. We also used these airplanes to teach Stability and Control at the military test pilot schools.

During my tenure at Cornell, I likely flew with every new test pilot in the United States. Most test pilots attend test pilot schools, but I learned by teaching and doing it. I have the high honor of being a Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, of which there are only about 160 of us in the world. Teamwork is absolutely vital for a test pilot. You want a highly disciplined individual who follows the rules. The last thing you want is a daredevil. Good communication skills are also a must.

In 1977, I became a NASA Test Pilot. For the last 22 years I have been employed at the NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View California. For several years I was the Chief Test Pilot and am currently the Chief of the Airborne Science and Flight Research Division and still fly. I oversee all flight operations, crew training, and maintenance of the planes and helicopters. I have flown the X-22A, XV-4B, XV-15A, AD-1 Swing-Wing Aircraft, Rotor Systems Research Aircraft and the X-Wing, just to name a few.

I love flying and will always be involved in some aspect of flight. I would encourage anyone with an interest in airplanes to pursue a career in one of the many aspects of aeronautics. Most important, it is never too early in life to start working toward a career that will provide a lifetime of fun. I did, and it happened!

Questions for Warren:

What is your educational background?
High School diploma
Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Virginia
Masters in Aerospace Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo New York
Masters in Business Administration from the state University of New York at Buffalo

Where did you grow up?
Richmond, Virginia
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Yes, I have one older brother, Clarence who is three years older
Do you have any aviation-related hobbies?
I still build model airplanes, collect aviation books, and I am writing a book about my flying career.
Do you think growing up where you did influenced you in your career choice?
Yes. In a field in Virginia I watched an airplane doing acrobatics and was hooked on flying. I started flying when I was 15 while working at the nearby Northfield airport.
Is this the career you thought you'd be in, growing up?
Definitely. I have been fascinated with flying since I was 8 years old.
If you could, would you change anything about your career path.
Nothing.
Were you influenced by one or more of your teachers?
Yes, Mr. Black sponsored our Aviation Club, and gave me an interest in astronomy as well. Betsy Bethune supported my interest in student government and my football coach, Coach Fritz gave me a sense of being able to do more than I thought. My Boy Scout leader, Mr. Gentry was another person who influenced me in a positive way by shaping my values and providing leadership development.
What would you change about your schooling if you could?
Nothing, except possibly when I attended the University of Virginia there were no girl's schools within a 70 mile radius.
What kind of skills do you think people should have if they want a career like this?
A test pilot has to have good communication skills. A test pilot is a highly paid observer with the ability to communicate in engineering terms what happens in the airplane they are testing. Ideally the test pilot should have an engineering/science background. Being in good shape physically is important, along with good motor skills.
Is your career rewarding to you?
Absolutely, I am doing what I love and I believe that I am making a difference in the field of aeronautics.
What is the best/most fun thing about your job?
I get to fly.
What is the worst/least fun thing about your job?
Writing flight reports.
What do you do for fun when thing about your job?
I play golf, create computer music, and play the piano.
When you were younger did you set goals for yourself? What were these goals? Do you still set goals?
I set goals for myself when I was young, like a college degree. I always wanted to do my best. At NASA I studied the various experimental aircraft so I was prepared should I be given the opportunity to fly them, even though I was not assigned to them. I still set goals.
What is your typical day like?
There is no typical day, I never do the same thing twice. I do some flying, some paper work, some simulation, some study and some management activities. I have written 60 engineering papers.
Would you recommend an aeronautic career to a young person?
Absolutely, because it is fun. I have been able to travel the entire globe. It has been very rewarding.
Was/Is your family supportive in your career choice(s)?
Yes, my wife was/is very supportive and involved. My two daughters were important to me and I spend premium time with them.
Do you feel that women and men are treated equally during their schooling? What about people of color and men?
In my younger years, I do not believe women and men were treated equally. I believe we are getting there, as far as equality, but we are not there yet.
Are you married? Do you have children?
I have been married for 37 years. I have two daughters, one 34 and the other 31. One daughter went into aviation and worked at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica, California. The other daughter got a degree at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and trained and performed dolphin shows.
What is your favorite food, color, book, plane, and music?
My favorite food is eggs, my favorite color is blue, my favorite books are aviation books, my favorite plane is the Phantom II, and my favorite music is classical piano.

Last modified: Sat Apr 25 11:07:04 PDT 1998